Method of surface-treating celluloid and the like



UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMBROSE H. ROBEN'IHAL, 0! BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

METHOD 0! SURFACE-TREATING CELLULOID AND THE LIKE.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. AMnnosn H. Rosnx- THAL, a citizen of the UnitedStates,.resid1ng at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Methods ofSurface-Treating Celluloid and the like. of which the following is aspecification.

My invention consists in a method of treatingarticles having a smoothadhesive surface, such as celluloid. for the purpose of impartingiridescence or the appearance of mother of pearl thereto.

In. practising my invention I may treat such articles, as for examplesheets of celluloid. or blocks or other shapes of celluloid forproducing the desired appearance, or I may flow a sheet or coating ofvarnish or celluloid upon paper, wood or other material and treat suchsheet or coating to surface the same. Objects treated according to myinvention may be applied to'many uses, among which may bementioned-toilet articles, calendars, fancy box coverings and 1mings,blotter covers and containers of all kinds.

Assuming it be desired to treat a sheet of celluloid to impartiridescenc-e or a mother of pearl appearance thereto,'according to myinvention, I first rub upon the surface of the celluloid a combinationof chlorid and bi muth. i. 0., I may use bichlorid or trichlorid ofbismuth, and continue to rub until a characteristic pearl finish becomesapparent. The length of treatment will vary with the nature of thecelluloid, and I preferably use a soft pad of felt or like material forrubbing.

After the treatment with bichlorid Olrtllchlorid of bismuth, the surfaceof the sheet so treated is coated with a thin layer of celluloid. andthis is effected by passing Specification of Lcttersl'atcnt.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application filed April 1, 1920. Serial No. 370,592.

the sheet through a water bath on the top of which floats a body of 1iuid celluloid. The sheet is passed .fairly quickly through the bath andthis treatment converts the pearl finish into ii mother of pearlappearance. When the article emerges'it is permitted to set. whichrequires but a brief time, and it is then ready for commercial use.

It will of course be understood that the method is the same whether asheet of celluloid be treated. or whether an article which is merelyentirely or partly covered with celluloid or varnish is treated.

I claim 1. The herein described method of imparting an iridescent ormother of pearl appearance to articles having a smooth adhesive surface.which consists in treating the surface of the article with a bismuthcombination, and thereafter applying a coating of celluloid to thetreated surface.

2. The herein described method of imparting an iridescent or mother ofpearl. ap pearance to articles having a smooth adhesive surface. whichconsists in rubbing the surface of the article with a bismuthcombination, and thereafter appl vi11; a coating of celluloid to thetreated surface.

3. The herein described method of imparting an iridescent or mother ofpearl appearance to articles having a smooth adhesive surface. whichconsists in rubbing the surface of the articles with bichlorid ortrichlorid of bismuth, and thereafter passing the article through awater bath having li uid celluloid floating thereon.

n testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in resence of twowitnesses.

Ah ROSE H. .ROSENTHAL.

Witnesses:

CLARICE FRANCK, PAULA WEBBER.

